Giving your photos a retro or vintage look can be a fun way to add character and evoke nostalgia. With the rise of apps like Instagram, achieving a retro photo effect is easier than ever. There are many ways to make your photos look like they came straight out of another decade. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular techniques for transforming your photos into retro works of art.
Use Film Photography
One of the most direct ways to capture retro-looking photos is to use old school film photography. Shooting with an analog 35mm film camera will automatically give your photos a vintage vibe. The soft focus, film grain, and imperfect exposures create a nostalgic aesthetic. Dump any remaining photos you have from old family vacations or weddings to see the retro effect of film.
Another option is to buy an instant camera like a Polaroid or Instax. These produce small low-fi snapshots with saturated colors and vignetted edges. They’ve become trendy again thanks to the retro effect.
The downside is that film photography requires finding and buying film, getting it developed, and scanning to digitize. If you want the retro look but with the ease of digital, read on for ways to edit regular photos.
Adjust Color Tones
One of the hallmarks of retro photography is the use of faded, unsaturated colors. The photos from past eras have softened and degraded over time, leaving a lighter, washed-out palette.
Try desaturating or reducing the vibrancy of your photos’ colors. Most editing apps and software like Lightroom have sliders to control vibrancy and saturation levels. Move them towards the left to wash out and mute the colors.
You can also use presets that add a faded, vintage effect. Many apps have filters specifically for making photos look retro or aged. Play around with these to find one you like.
Add Film Grain
Mimicking the grainy texture of film is another way to make digital photos look retro. Film grains result from the small particles that make up the emulsion layer on film negatives. They add a gritty texture that solidifies the retro vibe.
Most photo editing tools feature film grain overlays you can add to photos. Try starting with a subtle amount of grain and increasing it until you achieve the desired retro look. Focus the grain along the edges to emulate vignetting.
You can also add grain by slightly increasing the exposure to highlight “noise” in the image. Combining this technique with faded tones results in a pleasing retro effect.
Use Filters
For quick retro photo edits, take advantage of vintage-style filters. Apps like Instagram and VSCO offer filters that fade colors, add film grain, and produce other retro effects.
Some popular options include:
– Faded or washed out filters to mimic aged, sun-bleached photos
– Warm filters that cast a yellow/orange tint, like photos from the 70s
– Cool filters for a bluish tint resembling the 60s
– Black and white or monochrome filters
– Light leak and lens flare effects for a retro camera feel
The benefit of filters is that they apply pre-made retro effects with just one click. You can then tweak the intensity or try out different combinations.
| Filter | Effect |
|---|---|
| Faded | Washes out colors |
| Warm | Adds yellow/orange tint |
| Cool | Adds blue tint |
| Black & White | Creates monochrome effect |
| Light Leaks | Imitates light entering faulty camera |
| Lens Flare | Adds retro camera flare |
Boost Contrast
Controlling contrast is key for making photos look like they’re straight out of the retro era. Photos from the mid-20th century tend to have very high contrast due to the limitations of early photography.
Try increasing the contrast of your photos to give them bold blacks and bright whites. Your editing software will let you manually adjust contrast curves for precision. Or use a high contrast preset filter for quick editing.
You can also lower contrast for a faded, muted effect. Decreasing contrast washes out the photo and gives a weathered appearance. Find the right contrast balance to evoke the retro look you want.
Add Light Leaks
Light leaks occur when stray light sneaks into a camera through tiny gaps and holes in the body. The effect creates bright streaks and patches that scream retro vibes.
Many editing apps have light leak overlays you can layer on top of your photos. Position and rotate the leaks to find the most pleasing arrangement. Use them sparingly, as too many leaks can look cheesy and fake. A few subtle leaks along the edges go a long way.
You can also manually create light leaks using the brush tool. Choose a bright color and paint or dab streaks in relevant positions. Use low opacity for a subtle, faded effect.
Include Vignettes
Vignetting refers to darkened or faded corners in a photo. This optical effect stems from certain old camera lenses that didn’t distribute light evenly to the edges. As a result, retro photos often feature noticeable vignettes.
Recreate this look by adding dark vignette overlays that shade the corners and edges. Many editing apps have vignette filters to quickly achieve the effect. You can also manually brush on the vignette for more control. Focus on subtly darkening the corners rather than creating a heavy black frame.
Make Black and White Photos
Black and white photography brings us back to the early 20th century classics. Removing color is an instant way to give photos that old time feel. Don’t simply desaturate the color though. For best results, use black and white presets or conversion tools.
This allows you to control parameters like contrast, brightness and grain to polish the monochrome look. Add tones like sepia for antique photos or keep it clean black and white. You can target certain colors to isolate in black and white for cool effects.
Use Faded Image Overlays
Another shortcut technique is applying an overlay of a faded or damaged photo texture. These overlays blend your photo with a stock image of an aged photo. It instantly adds film grain, stains, holes, scratches, dust, and weathering for authenticity.
Set the overlay blend mode to “multiply” so it interacts properly with the photo. Play with the opacity to control the overlay’s strength. Boost contrast and fade colors beneath the overlay to finish the retro effect.
Add Retro Frames or Borders
Framing your photos with vintage borders is an easy way to spruce them up. Apps like Instagram provide a selection of retro-themed frames. Some options include faux picture frames, rounded corners, film borders, Polaroids, and disposable camera crops.
Frames help set the time period and complete the retro aesthetic. You can also design custom frames using textures, film edges, photo corners, or light leaks. Frame vertically oriented photos to evoke an old portrait look.
Use Mobile Apps
The easiest way for most people to give their photos a retro makeover is to use mobile apps. Apps provide quick shortcuts, presets, filters and tools to mimic a vintage style on the go. For example:
| App | Key Features |
|---|---|
| VSCO | Film-inspired filters, grain, fading, vignettes |
| Retrospecs | Retro filters, light leaks, shakes |
| INSTASIZE | Disposable camera filter, vintage frames |
| Prisma | Art filters like painted and pencil sketches |
| Lens Distortions | Analog film overlays, dust, scratches |
Play around with the different presets and tools in each app to find your desired effect. You can then export and share your retro creations.
Use Desktop Editing Software
For more advanced editing capabilities, use desktop photo software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. These offer finer tuning for parameters like:
– Color tone and saturation
– Contrast levels
– Film grain customization
– Layering textures and overlays
– Advanced filtering
– Precise vignettes
– Frame design
The wider toolset allows you to truly craft the vintage look you want. Create custom retro presets to apply your looks across batches of photos. This does require learning editing software but enables limitless retro effects.
Consider Composition
Don’t overlook basic photographic techniques when aiming for a retro vibe. Composition and angles also help transport photos back in time.
Consider framing subjects off-center based on the Rule of Thirds. Shoot portraits closer up and cropped in a square. Frame landscapes in panoramas to mimic Large Format photography. Photograph subjects against textured walls or faded painted backdrops.
Use props like vintage cars, clothes, or decor to complement the retro styling. Black and white can hide background distractions for a timeless look. Get creative with poses and expressions to match the desired era.
Conclusion
Transforming regular photos into retro snapshots is easier than ever. Use analog film cameras if you want an authentic vintage look. For digital photos, recreate retro effects through editing tools like desaturation, grain, vignettes and filters. Adjust contrast, use overlays, convert to black and white, and add frames or borders. Employ mobile apps for quick processing, or use advanced software for more customization. Enhance the retro feel through intentional composition and props. With a little creativity, you can easily give your photos an artistic retro makeover.
